Graphic logic editor
Contents

1.Introduction

The logic functions are positioned on a worksheet. The connections are then established with one another using the mouse.

2.Working with the graphic logic editor

The Worksheet is the basis of the logic editor. The following elements can be positioned on a worksheet:
  • Input boxes (inputs)
  • Output boxes (outputs)
  • Text fields
  • Logic nodes

3.Worksheet

The input boxes, output boxes, modules and text fields are positioned on a worksheet. The size of a worksheet can be selected. Five different sizes can be selected. The following sizes are available:
  • Very small: 600 x 424 points
  • Small: 800 x 565 points
  • Medium: 1200 x 848 points
  • Large: 1600 x 1131 points
  • Very large: 2000 x 1413 points

3.1.Print worksheet

The worksheet can be printed out. In this way, the output is reduced/enlarged to the print format/page format of the printer.

4.Input boxes / Inputs

The inputs of a worksheet can be summarised in the Input box. Several of these are possible on a worksheet.

4.1.Input box

An input box can be created via the pop-up menu from clicking the right mouse button, via the key combination CTRL+F1, via the menu item "New" in the toolbar of the worksheet, or via the module structure (here simply drag&drop onto the worksheet).

An input box can contain the following elements:
  • Communication objects
  • Connectors
To insert new elements into an input box all you need to do is right-click the box's header line. Both communication objects and connectors can be inserted in the box in the opening pop-up menu. Clicking the plus symbol inside the header line directly inserts a communication object into the box.
Note
The input can be directly assigned a new communication object by clicking an input and dragging the mouse while keeping the left key pressed to the plus symbol of the input box.
Note
An input box can be assigned as many elements as desired. The limitation lies in the surface of the worksheet.

Further information on the input box can be found under Functionality of the input box / output box.

5.Output boxes / Outputs

The outputs of a worksheet can be summarised in the Output box. Several of these are possible on a worksheet.

5.1.Output box

An output box can be created via the pop-up menu from clicking the right mouse button, via the key combination CTRL+F2, via the menu item "New" in the toolbar of the worksheet, or via the module structure (here simply drag&drop onto the worksheet).

An output box can contain the following elements:
  • Communication objects/Commands
  • Connectors
To insert new elements into an output box all you need to do is right-click the box's header line. Communication objects can be inserted and connectors can be created in the pop-up menu that opens. Clicking the plus symbol inside the header line directly inserts a communication object/command into the box.
Note
The output can be directly assigned a new communication object/command by clicking the output of a logic node and dragging the mouse while keeping the left key pressed to the plus symbol of the output box. The output of the module is connected directly with the new output shaft. The communication window opens directly when you click on the plus symbol, while simultaneously holding the CTRL key.
Note
An output box can be assigned as many elements as desired. The limitation lies in the surface of the worksheet.

Further information on the input box can be found under Functionality of the input box / output box.

6.Functionality of the input box / output box

  • A double-click changes the designation
  • The sequence of objects can be changed with Press shift + drag mouse.
  • Right mouse button on heading:
    - Properties - Changes designation of the box.
    - Cut out, copy, insert - Internal copying functions. Enables the moving and copying of elements within the project.
    Note
    You can choose between the options "with connections" and "without connections" when inserting.
    - Save as template - Saves the marked elements as template.
    - Create new objects - Adds communication object, connector, commands in box.
  • Right mouse button on object:
    - Properties - Changes the communication object or connector.
    - Remove - Removes the object from the box.
    - Move to... - Moves object to another box.
    - Cancel connections - Removes all connections of the marked object.
    - Upwards, downwards - Changes sequence of objects inside a box.
  • Click on node (only output box):
    - Deletes individual connection

7.Text fields

Text fields can be inserted for comments and description. The size is determined automatically from the text size and can only be changed in this way. A double-click on the field is sufficient in order to change the contents of a text field; alternatively, call the context menu with the right mouse button.
Text with maximum 500 characters can be entered in a text field. Line breaks count as 2 characters.

8.Functionality of the text field

  • Double-click changes text

9.Modules

Theoretically, any number of modules can be positioned on a worksheet. Depending on the definition, a module contains a certain number of inputs/outputs. Every input can be assigned with a fixed value and/or connected with objects from input boxes. Equally, every output can be connected with objects/commands from output boxes.

9.1.Removed module files

After removing a used module from the ...\logic folder and calling a worksheet on which this module is used, a prompt appears asking whether the module (including its connections) are to be deleted from the worksheet. If the answer to this question is No, the module and its connections are no longer displayed on the worksheet, i.e., they are hidden until the module is inserted into the ...\logic folder again. To view the module in the worksheet again, it is necessary to restart the HS/FS Expert.

10.Functionality of the module

  • A double-click changes the designation
  • Right mouse button on heading:
    - Properties - Change designation and telegram interval
    - Cut out, copy, insert - Internal copying functions. Enables the moving and copying of elements within the project.
    Note
    You can choose between the options "with connections" and "without connections" when inserting.
    - Remove - Deletes the marked modules/elements.
    - Save as template - Exports the marked elements as template.
    - Help for module - Shows the help for the marked module.
  • Right mouse button at input:
    - Assign with fixed value - Assigns the input a fixed value.
    - Negate connection(s) - Negates all connections of the marked input.
    - Cancel connection(s) - Removes all connections of the marked input.
  • Right mouse button on output:
    - Cancel connection(s) - Removes all connections of the marked output.
  • Mouse-click on node (only input):
    - Remove connection - Deletes individual connection
    - Negate connection - Negates individual connection

11.Import and export of logic nodes (templates)

Individual elements of a worksheet or a group of elements can be stored/exported as template.
This data can then be imported again into other projects.

11.1.Export into template (save)

This function is available after an element or group is selected by right clicking the mouse. The mouse pointer must be on the header of the element. If an element to be saved or a group of elements contains communication objects, a list of these communication objects appears. In this list, you can give each communication object a further designation. This designation is later queried during inserting in order to be able to assign the matching communication object. The designation is entered with a double-click or the operating knob. This information is required in order to be able to assign the right communication objects when inserting the logic template.

11.2.Import from template (insert)

Saved templates can be imported cross-project onto any worksheet desired. During insertion, a mask appears, the missing objects have to be supplemented here.
Note
Only communication objects with matching data type can be assigned.
Note
The elements can be directly compiled into a group during insertion.

12.Linking of inputs and outputs

A connection is established by clicking an input/output object and a further CTRL click (mouse click with pressed CTRL key) on the input/output of a logic node. The sequence of the clicks is open. The normal click has to happen before the CTRL click however. An ideal connection path is marked. The last established connection is displayed in orange.

Options for establishing a connection:
  • Drag&Drop. Drag input to output and vice-versa.
  • Click on input and SHIFT+click on output and vice-versa.
  • Click on input and right mouse-click (menu item: establish connection) and vice versa
Note
Elements of an input box cannot be connected with elements of an output box.
Note
Click an input or output to check the connection. All connections of the respective input/output are highlighted in colour.

13.Grouping elements

  • Several elements of a worksheet can be compiled into a group. Several groups are possible per worksheet.
  • Each element can only belong to one group.
  • Grouping remains the same in the project after saving and leaving Expert.
  • The elements (input box, output box, logic node, and text box) are selected by CTRL + left-click or by framing the elements (left-click and mouse movement around the elements).
  • When clicking on an element of a group, all elements of this group are marked.

14.Aligning elements on a worksheet

  • Click, hold, and drag, to move elements If arranging/shifting is not possible (e.g., because the element is positioned outside the worksheet), the element remains in its initial position.
  • Selected elements on a worksheet can be finely adjusted with the cursor keys.

15.Linking between worksheets (connectors)

A connector can be defined on a worksheet in an output box. A connector is for applying the output on a logic node to the logic node of another worksheet. The connector can be created via the context menu (right mouse button) of the output box. The connector must only be assigned a designation. The connector can now be added to another worksheet in an input box.

16.Actions via several marked elements

  • Multiple selection with CTRL
  • Fine-adjustment with the cursor keys (1 step) of CTRL+cursor keys (2 steps)
  • Right mouse button:
    • Cut out, copy, insert - Internal copying functions. Enables the moving and copying of elements within the project.
      Note
      You can choose between the options "with connections" and "without connections" when inserting.
    • Remove - Deletes the marked modules/elements.
    • Save as template - Exports the marked elements as template.
    • Align - The marked elements can be aligned in different directions.
      Note
      This also functions with the buttons located above the GLE interface.
    • Grouping - All marked elements can be compiled into one group.
    • Cancel group - Cancels the group of the marked element.

17.Main menu

  • View\tree structure - Enables the switching and display of different tree structures on the left side of the mask.
  • View\Thumbnail view - Shows a thumbnail view of the worksheet.
  • View\Size of the thumbnail view - Changes the size of the thumbnail view.
  • Show view\sheet sizes - Activates\Deactivates sheet size grids. All smaller page sizes are displayed on the worksheet with a pointed line.
  • View\Font - Change font and size of the worksheet.
Note
Reducing a page is only possible if there are no elements outside the NEW page dimensions.

18.Other key combinations

In order to trigger a key combination, the worksheet has to be focused.
  • F2 - Opens create menu.
  • F3 - Re-creates the last module created.
  • F6 - Shows thumbnail view. Size can be adjusted via main menu.
  • CTRL+F1 - Creates new input box.
  • CTRL+F2 - Creates new output box.
  • CTRL+F3 - Creates new text field.
  • CTRL+F4 - Opens the Import template file dialogue.
  • CTRL+A - Marks all elements of a worksheet.

19.FAQs (questions)

19.1.How do I establish a connection between an input object and an input of a logic node?

  • By clicking an input object, holding the left mouse button and dragging the input of the logic node.
  • OR by clicking the input object once and pressing SHIFT+left-click on the input of a logic node.

19.2.How do I copy a complete worksheet within a project?

  • Right-click a worksheet in the tree structure. A menu item appears here. In the tree structure, mark the position where you wish to insert. Right-click to open the menu item Insert.

19.3.How can I copy a group of logic nodes into another project?

Method 1 - Use the clipboard :
  • If your Global Library is NOT empty, empty it. (Expert-> Main menu-> Global Library-> Delete)
  • Mark all desired elements and right-click to open the menu item Copy in Global Library.
  • Select the item Global Library-> Clipboard-> Copy in the main menu of Expert.
  • Open the project into which the modules should be imported.
  • Select the item Global Library-> Clipboard-> Insert in the main menu and follow the instructions.
Method 2 - Use the templates:
  • Mark all desired elements and right-click to open the menu item Grouping.
  • Open the menu item Export into template by right-clicking again over the header of a group member.
  • Now save the template under a name.
  • Open the project into which the modules should be imported.
  • Select a worksheet.
  • Right-clicking the worksheet opens the menu item Import from template.

19.4.What is a connector?

  • An output that was defined on another worksheet and should be available on all worksheets. A connector can be created in an output box. The counterpart is located in an input box.